Discusses the development of expert system shells and the use of expert systems as instructional tools, and describes a program which required junior high school students using Macintosh computers to create a knowledge base on topics of their choice. Benefits of such student-created expert systems are discussed. (LRW)

Describes a lesson based on Taba's Inductive Thinking Model that offers a set of strategies to enhance the teaching of higher order thinking skills with the use of databases. Analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information are discussed, and strategies for guiding class discussion are presented. (eight references) (LRW)